Automatic switch



Dec@ 7, 192e. 1,610,213v

E..L [DE \ULJ E.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH WITNESS.- INVENTOR.

Dec. 7 1926.

- 1,610,213 E. J. D E VILLE Y AUTOMATIC SWITCH Filed April 7, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 7., 1926.

' UNITED STATES 1,610,213 PATENT OFFICE..

EDWARD J. DE VILLE, OF DAYTON, OHIO, vASSIGrN'OR TO THEv MONARCH ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

Application led April 7, 1921. Serial N0. 459,268.

This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to those of the quick acting or snap over type.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure aswell as the means ,and mode of operation of such devices, whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction,

but will be'more efiicient inuse, positive in' operation, uniform in action, durable, and unlikely to. get out of repair.

A further primary object of the invention is to provide an improved form of contact fingers, or yielding switch blade," so shaped and arranged that it will'eifect a slight shifting `or wiping movement, sub sequent to its Vengagement"with the terminal or contact to insure a clean surface engagement between the parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide in addition to the usual quick acting tumbling mechanism by which the switch is actuated, la positive knock-out to mechanically and positively eiiect a disengagement of the contact terminal in the event that the? tumbling mechanism fails to operate or having operated,`fails to eiect such disengagement.

A further object of the invention is to so construct and arrange the various elements of the tumbling mechanism,l whereby they will be adapted for standardized production, with maximum economy of manufacture, and whereby unskilled persons may disassemble and assemble the parts, for in-.

spection, repairs, and replacementsfwithout the necessity of hand tools.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a side elevation partly in section of the assembled switch mechanism embodying the present invention.- Fig.4 2 is a side elevation from the left of Fig. 1, with the switch contact and insulating supporting plate removed. Fig. 3 is a side `elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing' the tumbling mechanism and switch in its operated position., Fig. 4 is a .perspectiveI viewof the switch blades -and supporting plate removed from Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated byfsimilar characters of reference thruout the several views.

Automatic quick acting switches of the general type herein vshown anddescribed are extensively used in conjunction with electrically operated pneumatic pressure pumping and water distribution systems, and other analogous installations for automatically connecting and disconnecting the actuating motor at predetermined'minimum and maximum degrees of pressure, and in association with gravity distribution fluid systems, wherein the switch is controlled by the rise and fall of a iioat within a tank. Switches of this character likewise find many applications thruout a wide range of usefulness., j

In the pressure type of automatic switch herein shown and described for illustrative purposes, there is employed a main upright side frame or plate 1, attached to a base having therein a pressure chamber 2, one side of which is formed by a iexible dia phragm 3. The underside of the flexible diaphragm 3 'isssnbjected to variations of 'luid pressure, J,whereby the diaphragm is flexed upwardly against the tension of a helical spring 4, which exerts its `pressure in opposition to that of the iuid within the chamber 2. The spring Li'abuts at its lower end upon a presser head 6, carried by the diaphragm-3, and at its upper end against an adjustable thimble or sleeve 7 screw threaded in a lug 8 projecting from'the side frame 1. The abutment sleeve 7 is .screw threaded within the lug 8, whereby the rotation of the sleeve 7 will tend to increase or relieve the tension ofthe spring 4 causing it lto resist to greater ort less extent the pressure within the chamber 2. It will be understood that as the pressure increases within the chamber 2, the diaphragm 3 rises against the tensionl of the spring 4, and as the pressure decreases the sprlng 4 ,by its expansion, depresses the diaphragm 1n proportion to the decrease of fluld pressure. Attached to the presserf head 6 and extending axially thru the helical spring 4, and abutment sleeve 7, is a reciprocating rod or stem 9, connected at its upper end to an oscillating arm 10, pivoted at 11 to the Side frame 1. The extremity of the arm10 is slotted or bifurcated for. ready engagement wit-h'a transverse pin 12 extending between the lterallydspos'ed arms .of a bifurcated bell crank lever 1,3, pivoted at 14 upon a stud projecting from the side plate 1. The lower or downwardly extending arms of the bifurcated bell crank lever 12, carrying loosely journalled thereinaitransverse pin 14. The medial portion of the pin is flattened, as at 15, and perforated to permit the freereciprocation therethru of a stem 16, projecting medially from a U-shaped yoke 17, the trunnions 18 of which have pivotal connection in the slotted end of an Voscillatory' switch operating lever 19. This switch lever 19 is pivoted on a stud 20 projecting from the side plate 1. The bell crank lever 13 and switch lever 19 are capable of independent oscillatory movement in relation one with the other, to and fro across a dead center. Surrounding the stem 16 of the yoke 17 land bearing at one end upon a flattened central portion 15 of the pin 14 carried by the bell crank lever, and at its opposite end upon the inner portion of the bight of the swinging yoke 17 is a helical spring 21, which is placed under tension as the levers 12 and 19 approach a dead center position. The reaction of the compressed spring 21, as the levers pass the dead center' position, actuates the switch lever 19 suddenly'y and fully toan opposlte or reverse position. The switch lever 19 yis operatively connected by a link 22, with a transverse bar 23, carried by the contact arms 24 of the switch. Thus as tne arm 19 is oscillated to and fro, it carries with it the switch arms 24 causing them to make and break contact with electric terminals 25 carried upon a plate'26 of insulation.

Upon an increaseA of pressure within the chamber'- 2, (Fig. 1) Vthe stem 9 is forced upwardly and with iti'the arm 10, which movement is transmitted to the bell crank lever 12`oscillating thedownwardly extending arm thereofforwardly or toward the left in Fig. 1. This movement it'will be understood is quite gradual and may occupy a considerable period of time before the fluid pressure sufliciently overcomes the tension of the spring 4, to enable the movement of the pin 14 to a dead center relation with the 'centers 13 and 18`of the bellv crank lever 12 and yoke 17 respectively. This movement of the .pin 14 to the dead center position will serve to tension'the spring 21, and as the pin 14 passes the dead center,this spring by its expansion suddenly forces the switch lever-19 thru a full stroke toward the right, whereupon the parts resume the positions shown in Fig. 3, This movement of a lever 19 withdraws the contact arm 24 from en- A gagement withthe terminal 25 and opens the electric circuit. As the fluid pressure within the chamber 2 decreases, the spring 4 exerts a downwardv pressure to effect a reverse movement of the Iparts against compressing the spring 21 .u'ntil a dead center position is reached, .whereupon the spring by its. expansion will return the several parts to the positions shown in Fig. 1.

The switch arms 24 are attached to the outer side of the insulation supporting plate 26 and pass about the top edge thereof. by being formed into a bight 28 of substanto permit a somewhat longitudinal recipro-` cation of the contact arms 24 in addition to their oscillatory movement. The contact arms 24 are so proportioned and the connccting link between the contact members and the switch'arm 19 is of such length that the arms 24 will engage the terminal 25 before the switch arm 19 has completed its movement. The further flexing of thev arms 24 subsequent to their engagement with the terminals 25 effects a sliding L or wiping movement of the arms 24 over the terminals 25 due to the flexibility 'of the circular bight 28 which yields under the continuous pressure of the switch arm 19. This wiping movement as the circular bight 28 yields serves to clean the contact surfaces and preserve the1n\ bright and in condition for perfect electrical conductivity.

As a safety precaution to insure the disengagement of the contact member upon reversal of thel automatic tumbling mechanism, there is provided a mechanical knock-out for positively disengaging the terminals in the event that they should remain in contact. Such a possibility is rather remote, yet the tumbler mechanism might become stiff or unyielding thru the accumulation o f dirt or oil or some foreign body might acci'- dentally come into the path of movement of some of the parts, thereby arresting thelr operation. To avoid any such condition, there is provided a bell crank lever 30, pivoted at 31 to a lug projecting from .the base of the main frame, one arm of which extends thru a slot 32, in the insulation plate 26, to a point in4 proximity to the tie bar, connecting the contact arms 24 to which the switch arm 19 is attached. The opposite arm of the bellcrank lever 30 engages in the slotted endof a short lever 33, pivoted on the stud 2O to which the switcharm 19 is independently connected. That is to say, the lever 33 and the switch arm 19 are concentrically pivoted upon the same stud 20, but each is capable of oscillatory movement independent of the other. The opposite arm of the lever 33 projects into the path of the presser head 6 carried by the diaphragm 3. Suiicient'clearance is permitted between the presser head and the lever 3E so that under ordinary conditions the'tumbler mechanism will be tensioned and will have passed the dead center before the heaad` 6 operatively moves the lever 33. However, as the head 6 approaches the limits of its'upward movement, it engages the lever 33 oscillating the same about its pivotal stud 20 and thru its interengagement with the lateral arm of the bell crank lever 30 it oscillates the upper arm or knockout lever` inwardly For toward the right in Fig. 1 against the tie bar of the contact arms 26. If the tie bar of the contact arm has not already been moved out' of the path of the knock out lever 30 by the reversal of the switch lever 19 under the iniuence of the tumbler mechanism, this knock out lever 30 will positively move the tie bar to disengage the contact. arm 26 from the terminals 25 forcibly breaking their engagementA in the event that they have been burned or welded .together and by pressure against the connecting link and switch lever 19, the tumbling mechanism is positively reversed if it has not already performed its function. Thus the disconnection of the switch and motive power is ab:olute ly insured upon the risel of the fluid pressure to an abnormal degree. YIt is made certain that the actuating motor will be disconnected before the pressure reaches a 'dangerous stage.

It will be noted that the connection of the link 22 with the switch lever 19 at onev end and with the bar 23 at the other end is such that avdirect pressure is aii'orded until the contactv 251s engaged by switch blades at which time the connection of the link with the, bar 23 will be somewhat below its connection with the lever 19. This affords a diagonal or downward pressure upon the tire bar .23, during the further throw of the le.- ver 19. It is this downward or diagonal pressure which insures the wiping-action of the switch blades upon the contact terminal.l

This movement is compensated for by .the

l distortion of the bights 28.

From the above description it will be apparent that ythere is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated asdes-irable,'but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to ycomply with the statute the invention'has been described in language more or less specic as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the speciic details shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of puttingthe invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of.its

forms or modiiications withinthe legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with an electric switch of an actuator, a snap over switch operating mechanism tensioned by said actuator yto effect the reversal of the switch, and a'knock out' device operated by the actuator mounted independent of the snap over mechanism and unaffectedA by the initial movement of the actuator, by which the operation of the snapover mechanism is achieved, the operation of said knockout device being initiated by the .iinal movement of the actuator, subsequent to' the setting of snap-over mechanism to positively disengage the switch upon failure of the snap over medium to functlon.

2. In a switch operating vmechanism, a movable switch member, an oscillatory lever into the path of movement of which the switch element projects, means for oscillating the lever to disengage. the switch element, and spring actuated means mounted independent of said lever for actuating the switch element in advance of the movement of the lever and independent thereof.

3. The combination with a movable switch element, of a quick acting snap over actuating mechanism for the switch element, and a positive acting actuator for the switch element, said snap over mechanism and positive acting actuator being mounted for independentoperatimi under a common propelling influence;

4. In an electric switch, a flexible switch blade, a support therefor, a circular bight formed in the bladeadjacent to its point of attachment to the support, a contact terminal with which the blade engages, ,and actuating means for moving the switch to and from the terminal, said means being adapted to impart movement to the blade subsequent to its engagement with the terminal thereby distorting the bight andeffectinga wiping action of the blade upon the terminal.

5. In an electric switch, acontact terminal,

a flexible :switch blade co-acting therewith and offset adjacent to its point of attachment whereby the blade is capable of a limited yielding movement in the plane of the main portion of the'blade in addition to its moyement to and from the terminal, meansf for flexing the blade to and from its terquent to itsl engagement with the terminal, .the oiset attaching portion of the blade yielding lunder such further flexing move.-

ment to `permit a wiping movement of jthe no blade in contact with the terminal.l

reaches the limit of its movement 6. I n an electric switch, a contact terminal, a flexible switch blade coacting therewith, a support therefor, and a bight formed in the llexible blade adjacent to its point of attachment, means for flexingvthe blade into engagement with the terminal and by further movement flexing the bight of the blade subsequent to the engagement with the terminal by which blade is given shifting movement upon the terminal. v

7. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with anelectric switch of two sets of automatic actuating mechanism for said switch independently mounted for sepa- 

